9. Calvin’s Contribution to a Common Ecclesial Spirituality

10.1163/9789004244672_011

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Chapter Summary

This chapter examines John Calvin's theology in order to raise up universally relevant ecclesiological themes that are essential to a common ecclesiology which all Christians share. The method of this effort is generally ecumenical. More precisely, it is guided by principles of the sub discipline of comparative ecclesiology. The chapter has two distinct parts. The first part, 'Presuppositions', lays down the assumptions and concepts that are being employed. For example, the term 'spirituality' is not typical of Calvin's theology and this raises the question of its appropriateness when discussing his thought. The second part entitled 'Three [Ecclesiological] Themes from Calvin' represents the heart of the thesis, namely, that an appreciation of some central convictions about the church that were Calvin's are universally relevant and essential for any understanding of a common ecclesial spirituality.